'Special group' of Revs deliver division title

The York Revolution celebrated winning the Atlantic League Freedom Division first-half title Friday after defeating the Lancaster Barnstormers, 4-3. The Revs will return to the postseason after missing the playoffs in 2015.
Jim Seip, York Daily Record

Sometime before midnight, somewhere east of the Long Island Expressway, somewhere near the edge of Queens before rolling into Staten Island … the York Revolution learned they had won the Atlantic League Freedom Division first-half championship.

The Revolution team bus was en route back to PeoplesBank Park in York. In fact, it had pulled out of Bethpage Ballpark in Long Island at 11:10 p.m. Thursday after the Revs’ 8-7 victory, with all the players and coaches knowing one of two dominoes still needed to fall in order to secure a title. The Revs needed to win one more game or have the Sugar Land Skeeters lose one more game to clinch a spot in the postseason.

Problem was, Sugar Land was locked in an extra-inning marathon game with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. The winning run didn't score until the 15th inning with the Revs' bus rolling toward home. The unique situation meant the Revs’ team bus turned into the world’s largest gathering of bandwagon Blue Crabs fans.

“Everyone was watching it on their phones or computer and then when (Darby) Myers drove in the winning run everyone was going crazy,” manager Mark Mason said laughing. “But it was crazy with water, because we had no alcoholic beverages on the bus. No champagne, no beer, no anything, so it was very tame to say the least. Everyone congratulated each other.”

Revs player Michael Rockett laughed: "It was pretty quiet because it was (late) when everyone found out."

So to acknowledge the championship in proper fashion, the Revs made an executive decision to celebrate following Friday's game against Lancaster.

“Win or lose, we’re going to have the celebration we could have had,” Mason explained before York won a 4-3 game against Lancaster Friday in York.

Rockett wore a snorkeling mask. Several other players brought swimming goggles, and the team spent about the first 20 minutes pouring three cases of champagne and three cases of beer on each other. Mason paused for just a moment after his players drenched him to remind the players they hoped to do this again later this season.

Out of baseball at this time last year, Revolution pitcher Micah Owings wore an American flag do-rag and goggles to celebrate the title.

"Look at this," said Owings, a former big leaguer pointing to a clubhouse full of teammates celebrating. "This is what it's about right here, we all play the game for the opportunity to do this. From the time you're a little kid, this is what it's all about. You play as a team, you win as a team. From Little League through to the big leagues. What fun. You can't put a price on this."

The celebration near the end of a wild week came in the midst of what has been a roller-coaster season for the Revolution.

Forget the fact York held first place at the conclusion of 61 games in the first half — setting a club record. It has been a bumpy couple of weeks.

The Revs lost one of their most durable starters when Jorge Martinez signed in the Mexican League in May. They lost their best power hitter when Michael Burgess did the same, only to return a couple weeks later. The team turned relievers Tyrell Harris and Tony Pena into starters. Then during about a week stretch in June the Revs lost starting catcher Isaias Tejeda (signed by Atlanta Braves), starting first baseman Telvin Nash (signed by Chicago White Sox) and starting outfielder Jason Repko (retirement).

“It was crazy,” Mason said. “We lost a significant part of our lineup, and we were dealing with injuries.”

Catcher Keith Castillo battled a groin injury, and infielder Bryan Pounds has missed several games with a hip issue. Yet, Mason noted the team has had a special core in place since spring.

“When I put the team together in the offseason I felt really good about our situation on paper,” Mason said. “But then I got here and I saw the shape our guys were in and the chemistry we had. There was an attitude among the group … they really wanted to win. I think they just battled and battled.”

York has already won 22 games in comeback fashion, on pace to top the club record of 36 in a season.

"Just from Day 1 the camaraderie in the clubhouse has been there," Rockett said. "I mean, we have a bunch of guys from different backgrounds and it just clicked. It's just one of those things you can't plan on, but when it does it's fun."

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York's Michael Rockett covers the line on a foul ball. The Lancaster Barnstormers defeat the York Revolution 6-4 at PeoplesBank Park in York, Saturday, July 2, 2016.(Photo: Paul Chaplin, For the York Daily Record)

Revs pitcher Matt Neil earned the win Friday, announcing shortly before the game he planned to retire. He came on in relief of Owings to earn the win.

"That was my last game, I'm headed home," Neil said. "I think it was time to move on with my life ... it was hard winning this and playing well made it harder. But I had to make a big-boy decision.

"It was nice to go out on top, on this version of the top."

Drenched in champagne and beer by his players, Mason stood to the side of the clubhouse smiling. Just a few hours earlier he acknowledged what in that moment seemed obvious.